SEMO RPC receives Regional Node Planning Grant award

Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) recently awarded the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission (SEMO RPC) the Regional Node Planning Grant. The planning grants will be used to organize regional “nodes” which are intended to incentivize more of Missouri’s communities to successfully coalesce their assets to best support innovation and entrepreneurship through coordinated partnerships among entrepreneurial service organizations within the node.
“We are excited to collaborate with the teams at Innovate SOMO and stakeholders across the region to eliminate silos, increase capacity, and continue growth within the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeast Missouri,” said Rob Gilligan, President & CEO, of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to SEMO RPC, active node members in southeast Missouri include:
Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce
Farmington Chamber of Commerce
Perry County Economic Development Authority
The regional nodes build on the successful regional network launched by efactory and codefi serving the southern 47 counties of Missouri: the Southern Missouri Innovation Network, or Innovate SOMO. With improved plans and aligned resources, the support organizations in the node will continue partnering with Innovate SOMO to serve as a front door for the regional entrepreneurial community.

“By sharing expertise and resources across southern Missouri we are confident we will not only maximize the number of technology-based, high-growth potential startups, but also encourage growth and scale across the region and increase support for entrepreneurs in all sectors,” said Crystal Jones, Executive Director of the Perry County Economic Development Authority.
What to expect
Through the grant program, the group plans to:
Conduct inventory of current comprehensive and strategic plans for entrepreneur support and economic development organizations.
Host regional roundtable events to review assessments, identify gaps, and develop a plan that clearly articulates the role of each partner organization.
Operationalize the plan and prepare to apply for MTC’s anticipated Implementation grant.
Deliver programs and services that maximize outputs and economic impact.
“These activities will help better align our efforts to support and attract innovators and entrepreneurs, and continue strengthening our regional competitiveness moving forward,” said Candy Hente, Executive Director & CEO of the Farmington Regional Chamber.